Expat in the Know - Series 1

Welcome to our new Expat in the know series. Blogs by expats in Portugal that deliver helpful insights and tips.

How to change your address in Portugal

Written by Kate Bygrave.

Kate moved to Portugal in October 2021 and has lived in three rented properties before buying her current house in Central Portugal. She had to undertake extensive research which was complicated by changes due to Brexit and recent legislative changes as well

Portugal Change of Address

Once established in Portugal you may well decide to move house. You may start off in rented accommodation or you may move on. Either way, you’ll need to ensure that your address is changed on everything that relates to you.

Below is a list of things that may or may not apply to you:

1. Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF)

2. Atestado de Residência 

3. Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia (‘CRUE’)

4. Certificado de Pedido de Título de Residëncia 

5. Driving Licence

6. Matriculation

7. Bank Account(s)

8. Documento de Identificação do Utente

Here are the procedures that you’ll need to follow.

1. NIF (Tax Identity Number)

The NIF is provided by the Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT) which can be accessed via the Portal das Finanças website. Go to https://www.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt and search for ‘alteração de morada’…

Note: If you don’t have a password; then go to the Portal das Finanças website and click the register-se (register here) button, fill in the form with your NIF, address, etc. and a password will be sent to you vial normal post (CTT).

This search should bring up a set of results that should include ‘Entregar Pedido de Alteração’. Click on ‘Aceder’ to access that area. Fill in your address details including your postal code, tick the box to verify that your details are correct, and then click on ‘Alterar’ to send the data. The AT will then post a confirmation code to you via normal post (CTT). Once you receive your code, access the same part of the Finanças website again and enter the code to verify yourself.

2. Atestado De Residência (Residency Attestation)

Your Atestado De Residência can be updated by visiting the local Junta de Freguesia. This is a local parish council or town hall, and often shares a building with the post office (CTT). You will need to bring along your: 

• Passport.

• NIF number.

• House deeds if you own your property, or a signed rental agreement.

If you are not yet registered at your local parish, then you must present two witnesses who are able to contest unequivocally that you live there. The two signatures of these witnesses can come from: 

• Two commercial establishments in the local area, OR

• One signature from a voter and one signature from a commercial establishment, OR

• An invoice of any service provided in your name, such as a water or telephone utility bill.

3. Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia (‘CRUE’) (European Residency Certificate)

This now appears to be superseded by the SEF Certificado de Pedido de Título de Residëncia form, see below.

4. Certificado de Pedido de Título de Residëncia (Portuguese Residency Certificate)

This now appears to have replaced the so called ‘CRUE’. This is dealt with by the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF). If you already have a ‘CRUE’, go to this website: (https://brexit.sef.pt/en/), otherwise follow the instructions on the SEF website (https://www.sef.pt) which is in both Portuguese and English.

5. Driving Licence

This can either be done at your local Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes Terrestres (IMT) office or at a local Driving School (Escola de Condução). You will need to pay a fee. You will need your passport and NIF document or some other proof of address.

6. Matriculation (Vehicle Registration)

This can be done through the Institudo dos Registos e da Notariado (IRN). You can find your local public services bureau from the eportugal government website (https://eportugal.gov.pt/en/locais-de-atendimento-de-servicos-publicos) which is in both Portuguese and English. You will need to pay a fee. You will need your passport and NIF document or some other proof of address.

7. Bank Account(s)

Banks may vary, but generally you will need your NIF document or some other proof of address such as a utility bill in your name.

8. Documento de Identificação do Utente

This depends on your local Centro de Saúde (CdS). The most reliable method is to visit your local CdS in person with your NIF and your Residency certificate. If you are British and retired, you will need an S1 Form from the NHS. Other people have had success by telephone and email, but results vary.

Please note that these procedures may change over time and vary from place to place; however, hopefully this blog will serve as a starting point and checklist to help make your move less stressful. I would recommend tackling these one at a time, especially as some procedures require other documentation, such as your NIF, to have your updated address on it.

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